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Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 




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Lyrics of 
Sunshine and Shadow 

By 
Paul Laurence Dunbar 




New York 

Dodd, Mead & Company 

1905 



LlERARY of CONGRESS 
Two Copies ^eceivttti 

APR 21 Jy05 

I U6»S5 /^ 'aKc. N0{ 
COPY tf. 






Copyright, 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1905, 
By The Century Co. 

Copyright, 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1905, 
By The Curtis Publishing Company 

Copyright, 1903, 
By W. H. Gannett 



Copyright, 1905, 
By Dodd, Mead and Company 



TO MRS. FRANK CONOVER 

WITH THANKS FOR HER 

LONG BELIEF 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

A Boy's Summer Song i 

The Sand-Man 2 

Johnny Speaks 3 

Winter Song 4 

A Christmas Folksong 5 

The Forest Greeting 7 

The Lily of the Valley 9 

Encouraged 10 

To J. Q II 

Diplomacy 11 

-Scamp 12 

Wadin* in de Creek 14 

A Corn Song 16 

The Plantation Child's Lullaby 19 

Twilight 21 

Curiosity 21 

Opportunity 24 

Puttin' the Baby Away 26 

The Fisher Child's Lullaby 28 

vii 



Contents 

Faith 29 

The Farm Child's Lullaby 32 

The Place Where the Rainbow Ends ... 34 

Hope 36 

Appreciation 37 

The Barrier • • 39 

Day 40 

To Dan 41 

What's the Use 42 

A Lazy Day 43 

Advice 44 

Limitations 46 

A Golden Day 47 

The Unlucky Apple 48 

The Discovery 49 

Morning 50 

The Awakening 51 

Love's Draft 52 

A Musical 52 

TwELL DE Night is Pas' 53 

Blue 54 

Dreamin' Town 55 

At Night 57 

viii 



Contents 

Kidnaped 59 

Compensation 60 

Winter's Approach 61 

Anchored 62 

The Veteran 63 

Yesterday and To-Morrow 65 

The Change 66 

The Chase 68 

Suppose 68 

The Death of the First Born 69 

-Bein' Back Home 71 

The Old Cabin 73 

Despair 'j^i 

Circumstances Alter Cases '^(i 

Till the Wind Gets Right 79 

A Summer Night • . 80 

At Sunset Time 82 

Night 83 

|At Loafing-Holt 84 

When a Feller's Itching to be Spanked . . 86 

The River of Ruin 88 

To Her 90 

A Love Letter 91 

ix 



Contents 

After Many Days 93 

Liza May 94 

The Masters 97 

„_jrROUBLE IN DE KiTCHEN 98 

The Quilting loo ■ 

Parted loi ; 

Forever loi 

Christmas 102 

Roses and Pearls 104 

Rain-Songs 105 

A Lost Dream 105 ; 

A Song 108 i 

A Song logi 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

A BOY'S SUMMER SONG 

J^T^IS fine to play 

-■- In the fragrant hay, 
And romp on the golden load; 

To ride old Jack 

To the barn and back, 
Or tramp by a shady road. 

To pause and drink, 

At a mossy brink ; 
Ah, that is the best of joy. 

And so I say 

On a summer's day. 
What's so fine as being a boy ? Ha, Ha ! 

With line and hook 

By a babbling brook, 
The fisherman's sport we ply; 

And list the song 

Of the feathered throng 
That flit in the branches nigh. 
I 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

At last we strip 

For a quiet dip; 
Ah, that is the best of joy. 

For this I say 

On a summer's day, 
What's so fine as being a boy ? Ha, Ha ! 



THE SAND-MAN 

I KNOW a man 
With face of tan, 
But who is ever kind; 
Whom girls and boys 
Leave games and toys 
Each eventide to find. 

When day grows dim, 
They watch for him. 

He comes to place his claim; 
He wears the crown 
Of Dreaming-town ; 

The sand-man is his name. 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

When sparkling eyes 

Droop sleepywise 
And busy lips grow dumb ; 

When little heads 

Nod toward the beds, 
We know the sand-man's come. 



JOHNNY SPEAKS 

THE sand-man he's a jolly old fellow, 
His face is kind and his voice is 
mellow, 
But he makes your eyelids as heavy as lead. 
And then you got to go off to bed ; 
I don't think I like the sand-man. 

But I've been playing this livelong day; 
It does make a fellow so tired to play ! 
Oh, my, I'm a-yawning right here before 

ma, 
I'm the sleepiest fellow that ever you saw. 
I think I do like the sand-man, 
3 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 



WINTER SONG 



OH, who would be sad the' the sky- 
be a-graying, 
And meadow and woodlands are empty 
and bare; 
For softly and merrily now there come 
playing, 
The little white birds thro' the winter- 
kissed air. 



The squirrel's enjoying the rest of the 
thrifty. 
He munches his store in the old hollow 
tree; 
Tho' cold is the blast and the snow-flakes 
are drifty 
He fears the white flock not a whit 
more than we. 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Chorus : 

Then heigho for the flying snow ! 
Over the whitened roads we go, 

With pulses that tingle, 

And sleigh-bells a- jingle 
For winter's white birds here's a cheery 
heigho ! 

A CHRISTMAS FOLKSONG 

T^ E win' is blowin' wahmah, 
^^ An hit's blowin' f'om de bay; 
Dey's a so't o' mist a-risin' 

All erlong de meddah way ; 
Dey ain't a hint o' frostin' 

On de groun' ner in de sky, 

An' dey ain't no use in hopin' 

Dat de snow'll 'mence to fly. 

It's goin' to be a green Christmas, 

An' sad de day fu' me. 

I wish dis was de las' one 

Dat evah I should see. 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Dey's dancin' in de cabin, 

Dey's spahkiri' by de tree; 
But dancin' times an' spahkin' 

Are all done pas' fur me. 
Dey's feastin' in de big house, 
Wid all de windahs wide — 
Is dat de way fu' people 
To meet de Christmas-tide? 

It's goin' to be a green Christmas, 

No mattah what you say. 

Dey's us dat will remembah 

An' grieve de comin' day. 

Dey's des a bref o' dampness 

A-clingin' to my cheek; 
De aih's been dahk an' heavy 

An' threatenin' fu' a week. 
But not wid signs o' wintah, 

Dough wintah'd seem so deah — 
De wintah's out o' season, 
An' Christmas eve is heah. 

It's goin' to be a green Christmas, 
An' oh, how sad de day! 
6 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Go ax de hongry chti'chya'd, 
An' see what hit will say. 



Dey's Allen on de hillside, 

An' Marfy in de plain ; 
Fu' Christmas was like springtime, 

An' come wid sun an' rain. 
Dey's Ca'line, John, an' Susie, 

Wid only dis one lef ' : 
An' now de curse is comin' 
Wid murder in hits bref. 

It's goin' to be a green Christmas — 

Des hyeah my words an' see ; 
Befo' de summah beckons 
Dey's many'U weep wid me. 

THE FOREST GREETING 

GOOD hunting! — aye, good hunting, 
Wherever the forests call; 
But ever a heart beats hot with fear, 
And what of the birds that fall? 

7 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Good hunting ! — aye, good hunting, 
Wherever the north winds blow ; 

But what of the stag that calls for his mate ? 
And what of the wounded doe? 

Good hunting ! — aye, good hunting, 
And ah ! we are bold and strong ; 

But our triumph call through the forest hall 
Is a brother's funeral song. 

For we are brothers ever, 

Panther and bird and bear ; 
Man and the weakest that fear his face, 

Born tO' the nest or lair. 

Yes, brothers, and who shall judge us? 

Hunters and game are we ; 
But who gave the right for me to smite? 

Who boasts when he smiteth me? 

Good hunting ! — aye, good hunting. 

And dim is the forest track ; 
But the sportsman Death comes striding on : 

Brothers, the way is black. 
8 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 



THE LILY OF THE VALLEY 

SWEETEST of the flowers a-blooming 
In the fragrant vernal days 
Is the Lily of the Valley 

With its soft, retiring ways. 

Well, you chose this humble blossom 
As the nurse's emblem flower, 

Who grows more like her ideal 
Every day and every hour. 

Like the Lily of the Valley 

In her honesty and worth. 
Ah, she blooms in truth and virtue 

In the quiet nooks of earth. 

Tho' she stands erect in honor 

When the heart of mankind bleeds, 

Still she hides her own deserving 
In the beauty of her deeds. 

9 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

In the silence of the darkness 

Where no eye may see and know, 

There her footsteps shod with mercy, 
And fleet kindness come and go. 

Not amid the sounds of plaudits. 

Nor before the garish day. 
Does she shed her soul's sweet perfume. 

Does she take her gentle way. 

But alike her ideal flower, 
With its honey-laden breath, 

Still her heart blooms forth its beauty 
In the valley shades of death. 



ENCOURAGED 

"DECAUSE you love me I have much 

■*-^ achieved. 
Had you despised me then I must have failed, 

But since I knew you trusted and believed, 
I could not disappoint you and so prevailed. 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 



TO J. Q. 

WHAT are the things that make 
Hfe bright? 
A star gleam in the night. 
What hearts us for the coming fray? 

The dawn tints of the day. 
What helps to speed the weary mile? 

A brother's friendly smile. 
What turns o' gold the evening gray ? 
A flower beside the way. 



DIPLOMACY 

TELL your love where the roses 
blow, 
And the hearts of the lilies quiver, 
Not in the city's gleam and glow, 

But down by a half-sunned river. 
II 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Not 'in the crowded ball-room's glare, 

That would be fatal, Marie, Marie, 
How can she answer you then and there ? 
So come then and stroll with me, 

my dear, 
Down where the birds call, Marie, 
Marie. 

SCAMP 

AIN'T it nice to have a mammy 
Wen you kin' o' tiahed out 
Wid a-playin' in de meddah. 

An' a-runnin' roun' about 
Till hit's made you mighty hongry, 

An' yo' nose hit gits to know 
What de smell means dat's a-comin' 
F'om de open cabin do'? 
She wash yo' face. 
An' mek yo' place, 
You's hongry as a tramp; 
Den hit's eat you suppah right away. 
You sta'vin' little scamp. 

12 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Wen you's full o' braid an' bacon, 

An' dey ain't no mo' to eat, 
An' de lasses dat's a-stickin' 

On yo' face ta'se kin' o' sweet, 
Don' you t'ink hit's kin' o' pleasin' 

Fu' to have som'body neah 
Dat'll wipe yo' ban's an' kiss you 

Fo' dey lif you f'om yo cheah? 
To smile so sweet, 
An' wash yo' feet, 

An' leave 'em co'l an' damp ; 
Den hit's come let me undress you, now 

You lazy little scamp. 



Don' yo' eyes git awful heavy, 

An' yo' lip git awful slack. 
Ain't dey som'p'n' kin' o' weaknin' 

In de backbone of yo' back? 
Don' yo' knees feel kin' o' trimbly. 

An' yo' head go bobbin' roun'. 
Wen you says yo' " Now I lay me," 

An' is sno'in' on de " down " ? 

13 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

She kiss yo' nose, 

She kiss yo' toes, 
An' den tu'n out de lamp, 
Den hit's creep into yo' trunnel baid, 
You sleepy little scamp. 



WADIN' IN DE CRICK 

T^AYS git wa'm an' wa'mah, 
-*-^ School gits mighty dull, 
Seems lak dese hyeah teachahs 

Mus' feel mussiful. 
Hookey's wrong, I know it 

Ain't no gent'man's trick; 
But de aih's a-callin', 

" Come on to de crick." 

Dah de watah's gu'glin' 

Ovah shiny stones, 
Des hit's ve'y singin' 

Seems to soothe yo' bones. 
14 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Wat's de use o' waitin', 

Go on good an' quick: 

Dain't no fun lak dis hyeah 
Wadin' in de crick. 



Wat dat jay-b'ud sayin' ? 

Bettah shet yo' haid, 
Fus' t'ing dat you fin' out, 

You'll be layin' daid. 
Jay-bu'ds sich a tattlah, 

Des seem lak his trick 
Fu' to tell on folkses 

Wadin' in de crick. 

Wilier boughs a-bendin', 

Hidin' of de sky, 
Wavin' kin' o' frien'ly 

Ez de win' go by, 
Elum trees a-shinin', 

Dahk an' green an' thick, 
Seem to say, " I see yo' 

Wadin' in de crick." 

15 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

But de trees don' chattah, 

Dey des look an' sigh 
Lak hit's kin' o' peaceful 

Des a-bein' nigh, 
An' yo' t'ank yo' Mastah 

Dat dey trunks is thick 
Wen yo' mammy fin's you 

Wadin' in de crick. 

Den yo' run behin' dem 

Lak yo' scaihed to def. 
Mammy come a-flyin', 

Mos' nigh out o' bref ; 
But she set down gentle 

An' she drap huh stick, — 
An, fus' t'ing, dey's mammy 

Wadin' in de crick. 

A CORN SONG 

/^N the wide veranda white, 
^^ In the purple failing light, 
Sits the master while the sun is lowly 
burning ; 

i6 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

And his dreamy thoughts are drowned 
In the softly flowing sound 
Of the corn-songs of the field hands slow 
returning. 

Oh, we hoe de co'n 
Since de ehly mo*n; 
Now de sinkin' sun 
Says de day is done. 

O'er the fields with heavy tread, 
Light of heart and high of head, 
Though the halting steps be labored, slow, 
and weary; 
Still the spirits brave and strong 
Find a comforter in song, 
And their corn-song rises ever loud and 
cheery. 

Oh, we hoe de co'n 
Since de ehly mo'n; 
Now de sinkin' sun 
Says de day is done. 

I? 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

To the master in his seat, 
Comes the burden, full and sweet, 
Of the mellow minor music growing 
clearer, 
As the toilers raise the hymn. 
Thro' the silence dusk and dim. 
To the cabin's restful shelter drawing 
nearer. 

Oh, we hoe de co'n 
Since de ehly mo'n; 
Now de sinkin' sun 
Says de day is done. 

And a tear is in the eye 

Of the master sitting by, 
As he listens to the echoes low-replying 

To the music's fading calls 

As it faints away and falls 
Into silence, deep within the cabin dying. 

Oh, we hoe de co'n 
Since de ehly mo'n; 
Now de sinkin' sun 
Says de day is done. 
i8 






Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 



THE PLANTATION CHILD'S LULLABY 

\1 /"INTAH time hit comin' 
^ ^ Stealin' thoo de night ; 
Wake up in the mo'nin' 

Evah ting is white; 
Cabin lookin' lonesome 

Stannin' in de snow, 
Meks you kin' o' nervous, 

Wen de win' hit blow. 



Trompin' back from feedin'. 

Col' an' wet an' blue, 
Homespun jacket ragged, 

Win' a-blowin' thoo. 
Cabin lookin' cheerful, 

Unnerneaf de do'. 
Yet you kin' o' keerful 

Wen de win' hit blow. 
19 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Hickory log a-blazin' 

Light a-lookin' red, 
Faith o' eyes o' peepin' 

R'om a trun'le bed, 
Little feet a-patterin' 

Cleak across de flo' ; 
Bettah had be keerful 

Wen de win' hit blow. 



Suppah done an' ovah, 

Evah t'ing is still ; 
Listen to de snowman 

Slippin' down de hill. 
Ashes on de fiah, 

Keep it wa'm but low. 
What's de use o' keerin* 

Ef de win' do blow? 



Smoke house full o' bacon, 
Brown an' sweet an' good; 

Taters in de cellah, 

'Possum roam de wood ; 

20 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Little baby snoozin' 

Des ez ef he know. 
What's de use o' keerin' 

Ef de win' do blow? 



TWILIGHT 

j/TpWIXT a smile and a tear, 
-*• 'Twixt a song and a sigh, 
'Twixt the day and the dark, 
When the night draweth nigh. 

Ah, sunshine may fade 

From the heavens above. 
No twilight have we 

To the day of our love. 

CURIOSITY 
TiyrAMMY'S in de kitchen, an' de do' is 

All de pickaninnies climb an' tug an' sweat, 
Gittin' to de winder, stickin' dah lak flies, 
Evah one ermong us des all nose an' eyes. 

21 



i^yrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

" Whut's she cookin', Isaac ? " " Whut's 

she cookin', Jake ? " 
" Is it sweet pertaters ? Is hit pie er cake ? " 
But we couldn't mek out even whah we 

stood 
iWhut was mammy cookin' dat could smell 

so good. 

Mammy spread de winder, an' she frown 

an' frown. 
How de pickaninnies come a-tumblin' down ! 
Den she say : " Ef you-all keeps a-peepin' in, 
How I'se gwine to whup you, my ! 't 'ill 

be a sin! 
Need n' come a-sniffin' an' a-nosin' hyeah, 
'Ca'se I knows my business, nevah feah." 
Won't somebody tell us — how I wish dey 

would ! — 
Whut is mammy cookin' dat it smells so 

good ? 

We know she means business, an' we 

dassent stay. 
Dough it's mighty tryin' fuh to go erway ; 

22 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

But we goes a-troopin' down de ol' wood- 
track 

'Twell dat steamin' kitchen brings us 
stealin' back, 

Climbin' an' a-peepin' so's to see inside. 

Whut on earf kin mammy be so sha'p to 
hide? 

I'd des up an' tell folks w'en I knowed 
I could, 

Ef I was a-cookin' t'ings dat smelt so good. 



Mammy in de oven, an' I see huh smile; 
Moufs mus' be a-wat'rin' roun' hyeah fuh 

a mile; 
Den we almos' hollah ez we hu'ies down, 
'Ca'se hit's apple dumplin's, big an' fat an' 

brown ! 
W'en de do' is opened, solemn lak an' slow, 
Wisht you see us settin' all dah in a row 
Innercent an' p'opah, des lak chillun should 
W'en dey mammy's cookin' t'ings dat 

smell so good. 

23 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 



OPPORTUNITY 

GRANNY'S gone a-visitin', 
Seen huh git huh shawl 
Wen I was a-hidin' down 

Hime de gyahden wall. 
Seen huh put her bonnet on, 

Seen huh tie de strings, 
An' I'se gone to dreamin' now 
'Bout dem cakes an' t'ings. 



On de she'f behime de do' — 

Mussy, what a f eas' ! 
Soon ez she gits out o' sight, 

I kin eat in peace. 
I bin watchin' fu' a week 

Des fu' dis hyeah chance. 
Mussy, w'en I gits in daih, 

I'll des sholy dance. 
24 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Lemon pie an' gingah-cake, 

Let me set an' t'ink — 
Vinegah an' sugah, too, 

Dat '11 mek a drink ; 
Ef dey's one t'ing dat I loves 

Mo'S' pu'ticlahly, 
It is eatin' sweet t'ings an' 

A-drinkin' Sangaree. 

Lawdy, won' po' granny raih 

Wen she see de she'f ; 
W'en I t'ink erbout huh face, 

I's mos' 'shamed myse'f. 
Well, she gone, an' hyeah I is, 

Back behime de do' — 
Look hyeah ! gran' 's done 'spected me, 

Dain't no sweets no mo'. 

Evah sweet is hid erway. 

Job des done up brown ; 
Pusson t'ink dat someun t'ought 

Dey was t'eves erroun' ; 
Dat des breaks my heart in two, 

Oh how bad I feel ! 
25 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Des to t'ink my own gramma 
B'lieved dat I 'u'd steal ! 



PUTTIN' THE BABY AWAY 

"jrp IGHT of 'em hyeah all tol' an' yet 
-■-^ Dese eyes o' mine is wringin' wet; 
My haht's a-achin' ha'd an' so', 
De way hit nevah ached befo' ; 
My soul's a-pleadin', " Lawd give back 
Dis little lonesome baby black, 
Dis one, dis las' po' he'pless one 
Whose little race was too soon run." 

Po' Little Jim, des fo' yeahs' ol' 
A-layin' down so still an' col'. 
Somehow hit don' seem ha'dly faih, 
To have my baby lyin' daih 
Wi'dout a smile upon his face, 
Wi'dout a look erbout de place ; 
He ust to be so full o' fun 
Hit don' seem right dat all's done, done. 
26 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Des eight in all but I don' caih, 

Dey wa'nt a single one to spaih ; 

De worl' was big, so was hy haht, 

An' dis hyeah baby owned hit's paht ; 

De house was po', dey clothes was rough, 

But daih was meat an' meal enough ; 

An' daih was room fu' little Jim; 

Oh ! Lawd, what made you call f u' him ? 

It do seem monst'ous ha'd to-day, 
To lay dis baby boy away ; 
I'd learned to love his teasin' smile, 
He mought o' des been lef ' erwhile ; 
You wouldn't t'ought wid all de folks, 
Dat's roun' hyeah mixin' teahs an' jokes, 
De Lawd u'd had de time to see 
Dis chile an' tek him 'way f'om me. 

But let it go, I reckon Jim, 
'11 des go right straight up to Him 
Dat took him f'om his mammy's nest 
An' lef dis achin' in my breas'. 
An' lookin' in dat fathah's face 
An' 'memberin' dis lone sorrerin' place, 
27 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

He'll say, " Good Lawd, you ought to had 
Do sumpin' fu' to comf o't dad ! " 



THE FISHER CHILD'S LULLABY 

THE wind is out in its rage to-night, 
And your father is far at sea. 
The rime on the window is hard and white 
But dear, you are near to me. 
Heave ho, weave low, 

Waves of the briny deep ; 
Seethe low and breathe low, 
But sleep you, my little one, 
sleep, sleep. 

The little boat rocks in the cove no more. 

But the flying sea-gulls wail ; 
I peer through the darkness that wraps 
the shore. 
For sight of a home set sail. 
Heave ho, weave low, 
28 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Waves of the briny deep ; 
Seethe low and breathe low, 
But sleep you, my little one, 
sleep, sleep. 

Ay, lad of mine, thy father may die 

In the gale that rides the sea, 
But we'll not believe it, not you and I, 
Who mind us of Galilee. 
Heave ho, weave low. 

Waves of the briny deep ; 
Seethe low and breathe low. 
But sleep you, my little one, 
sleep, sleep. 



FAITH 

T'S a-gittin' weary of de way dat people do, 
-■■ De folks dat's got dey 'ligion in dey fiah- 

place an' flue; 
Dey's alius somep'n comin' so de spit'U have 
to turn, 

29 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

An' hit tain't no p'oposition fu' to mek de 

hickory bu'n. 
Ef de sweet pertater fails us an' de go'geous 

yallah yam, 
We kin tek a bit o' comfo't f'oni ouah sto' 

o' summah jam. 
Wen de snow hit git to flyin', dat's de Mas- 

tah's own desiah, 
De Lawd'll run de wintah an' yo' mammy'll 

run de fiah. 

I ain' skeered because de 'win' hit staht to raih 

and blow, 
I ain't bothahed w'en he come er rattlin' at 

de do'. 
Let him taih hisse'f an' shout, let him blow an' 

bawl, 

Dat's de time de branches shek an' bresh-wood 

'mence to fall. 
W'en de sto'm er railin' an' de shettahs blowin' 

'bout, 
Dat de time de fiah-place crack hits welcome 

out. 

30 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Tain' my livin' business fu' to trouble ner 

enquiah, 
De Lawd'll min' de wintah an' my mammy'U 

min' de fiah. 



Ash-cake alius gits ez brown w'en February's 

hyeah 
Ez it does in bakin' any othah time o' yeah. 
De bacon smell ez callin'-like, de kittle rock 

an' sing, 
De same way in de wintah dat dey do it in de 

spring ; 
Dey ain't no use in mopin' 'round an' lookin' 

mad an' glum 
Erbout de wintah season, fu' hit's des plumb 

boun' to come ; 



An' ef it comes to runnin' t'ings I's wiUin' to 

retiah, 
De Lawd'll min' de wintah an' my mammy'U 

min' de fiah. 

31 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 



THE FARM CHILD'S LULLABY 

/^H, the little bird is rocking in the cradle 
^^ of the wind, 

And it's bye, my little wee one, bye ; 
The harvest all is gathered and the pippins all 
are binned ; 
Bye, my little wee one, bye ; 
The little rabbit's hiding in the golden shock 

of corn. 
The thrifty squirrel's laughing bunny's idleness 

to scorn ; 
You are smiling with the angels in your slum- 
ber, smile till morn ; 
So it's bye, my little wee one, bye. 

There'll be plenty in the cellar, there'll be 
plenty on the shelf ; 
Bye, my little wee one, bye ; 
There'll be goodly store of sweetings for a 
dainty little elf; 
Bye, my little wee one, bye. 
32 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

The snow may be a-flying o'er the meadow and 

the hill, 
The ice has checked the chatter of the little 

laughing rill, 
But in your cosey cradle you are warm and 

happy still; 
So bye, my little wee one, bye. 

Why, the Bob White thinks the snowflake is a 
brother to his song ; 
Bye, my little wee one, bye ; 
And the chimney sings the sweeter when the 
wind is blowing strong ; 
Bye, my little wee one, bye ; 
The granary's overflowing, full is cellar, crib, 

and bin. 
The wood has paid its tribute and the ax has 

ceased its din; 
The winter may not harm you when you're 
sheltered safe within; 
So bye, my little wee one, bye. 



33 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 



THE PLACE WHERE THE RAINBOW 
ENDS 

'Tp HERE'S a fabulous story 
-■- Full of splendor and g'lory, 
That Arabian legends transcends; 
Of the wealth without measure. 
The coffers of treasure, 

At the place where the rainbow ends. 

Oh, many have sought it, 
And all would have bought it. 

With the blood we so recklessly 
spend ; 
But none has uncovered. 
The gold, nor discovered 

The spot at the rainbow's end. 

They have sought it in battle, 
And e'en where the rattle 

Of dice with man's blasphemy 
blends ; 

34 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

But howe'er persuasive, 
It still proves evasive, 

This place where the rainbow ends. 

I own for my pleasure, 
I yearn not for treasure, 

Though gold has a power it lends ; 
And I have a notion, 
To find without motion, 

The place where the rainbow ends. 

The pot may hold pottage, 
The place be a cottage, 

That a humble contentment defends, 
Only joy fills its coffer. 
But spite of the scoffer. 

There's the place where the rainbow 
ends. 

Where care shall be quiet. 
And love shall run riot. 

And I shall find wealth in my 
friends ; 

35 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Then truce to the story. 
Of riches and glory ; 

There's the place where the rainbow 
ends. 



HOPE 

DE dog go howlin' 'long de road, 
De night come shiverin' down; 
My back is tiahed of its load, 

I cain't be fu' f 'om town. 
No mattah ef de way is long. 
My haht is swellin' wid a song. 
No mattah 'bout de frownin' skies, 
I'll soon be home to see my Lize. 



My shadder staggah on de way. 
It's monstous col' to-night; 

But I kin hyeah my honey say 
" W'y bless me if de sight 

36 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

O' you ain't good fu' my so' eyes." 
(Dat talk's dis lak my lady Lize) 
I's so'y case de way was long 
But Lawd you bring me love an' song. 



No mattah ef de way is long, 

An' ef I trimbles so' 
I knows de fiah's burnin' strong, 

Behime my Lizy's do'. 
An' daih my res' an' joy shell be, 
Whaih my ol' wife's awaitin' me — 

Why what I keer fu' stingin' bias', 

I see huh windah light at las'. 



APPRECIATION 

MY muvver's ist the nicest one 
'At ever lived wiz folks ; 
She lets you have ze mostes' fun, 
An' laffs at all your jokes. 
37 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

I got a or maid auntie, too. 

The worst you ever saw; 
Her eyes ist bore you through and 
through, — 

She ain't a bit Hke ma. 

She's ist as slim as sHm can be, 
An' when you want to sUde 

Down on ze balusters, w'y she 
Says 'at she's harrified. 

She ain't as nice as Uncle J^^n, 

What says 'at little boys 
Won't never grow to be big men 

Unless they're fond of noise. 

But muvver's nicer zan 'em all. 
She calls you, " precious lamb," 

An' let's you roll your ten-pin ball. 
An' spreads your bread wiz jam. 

An' when you're bad, she ist looks sad, 
You fink she's goin' to cry; 

An' when she don't you're awful glad. 
An' den you're good, Oh, my I 

38 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

At night, she takes ze softest hand, 

An' lays it on your bead, 
An' says " Be off to Sleepy-Land 

By way o' trundle-bed." 

So when you fink what muvver knows 

An' aunts an' uncle tan't. 
It skeers a feller ; ist suppose 

His muvver 'd been a aunt. 



THE BARRIER 

THE Midnight wooed the Morning Star, 
And prayed her : " Love come 
nearer ; 
Your swinging coldly there afar ' 
To me but makes you dearer." 

The Morning Star was pale with dole 

As said she, low replying: 
** Oh, lover mine, soul of my soul, 

For you I too am sighing." 

39 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

" But One ordained when we were born, 

In spite of love's insistence. 
That night might only view the Morn 

Adoring at a distance." 

But as she spoke, the jealous Sun 

Across the heavens panted ; 
" Oh, whining fools," he cried, " have 
done. 

Your wishes shall be granted." 

He hurled his flaming lances far; 

The twain stood unaffrighted. 
And Midnight and the Morning Star 

Lay down in death united. 



DAY 

THE gray dawn on the mountain top 
Is slow to pass away. 
Still lays him by in sluggish dreams. 
The golden God of day. 
40 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

And then a light along the hills, 
Your laughter silvery gay ; 

The Sun God wakes, a bluebird trills. 
You come and it is day. 



TO DAN 

STEP me now a bridal measure. 
Work give way to love and leisure, 
Hearts be free and hearts be gay — 
Doctor Dan doth wed to-day. 

Diagnosis, cease your squalling — 
Check that scalpel's senseless bawling, 
Put that ugly knife away — 
Doctor Dan doth wed to-day. 

'Tis no time for things unsightly. 
Life's the day and life goes lightly; 
Science lays aside her sway- 
Love rules Dr. Dan to-day. 

Gather, gentlemen and ladies, 
For the nuptial feast now made is, 
41 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Swing your garlands, chant your lay 
For the pair who wed to-day. 

Wish them happy days and many, 
Troubles few and griefs not any, 
Lift your brimming cups and say 
God bless them who wed to-day. 

Then a cup to Cupid daring, 
Who for conquest ever faring. 
With his arrows dares assail 
E'en a doctor's coat of mail. 

So with blithe and happy hymning 
And with harmless goblets brimming. 
Dance a step — musicians play — 
Doctor Dan doth wed to-day. 



WHAT'S THE USE 

WHAT'S the use o' folks 
a-frownin' 
When the way's a little rough? 
42 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Frowns lay out the road fur smilin' 
You'll be wrinkled soon enough. 
What's the use ? 
What's the use o' folks a-sighin'? 

It's an awful waste o' breath, 
An' a body can't stand wastin' 
What he needs so bad in death. 
What's the use? 
What's the use o' even weepin'? 

Might as well go long an' smile. 
Life, our longest, strongest arrow, 
Only lasts a little while. 
What's the use? 

A LAZY DAY 

THE trees bend down along the 
stream. 
Where anchored swings my tiny boat. 
The day is one to drowse and dream 

And list the thrush's throttling note. 
When music from his bosom bleeds 
Among the river's rustling reeds. 

43 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

No ripple stirs the placid pool, 

When my adventurous line is cast, 

A truce to sport, while clear and cool. 
The mirrored clouds slide softly past. 

The sky gives back a blue divine, 

And all the world's wide wealth is mine. 

A pickerel leaps, a bow of light. 

The minnows shine from side to side. 

The first faint breeze comes up the tide — 

I pause with half uplifted oar, 

While night drifts down to claim the shore. 



ADVICE 

W'EN you full o' worry 
'Bout yo' wo'k an' sich, 
Wen you kind o' bothered 
Case you can't get rich. 
An' yo' neighboh p'ospah 

Past his jest desu'ts, 
An' de sneer of comerds 
Stuhes yo' heaht an' hu'ts, 

44 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Des don' pet yo' worries, 

Lay 'em on de she'f, 
Tek a little trouble 

Brothah, wid yo'se'f. 



Ef a frien' comes mou'nin* 

'Bout his awful case, 
You know you don' grieve him 

Wid a gloomy face, 
But you wrassle wid him. 

Try to tek him in ; 
Dough hit cracks yo' features, 

Law, you smile lak sin. 
Ain't you good ez he is? 

Don' you pine to def ; 
Tek a little trouble 

Brothah, wid yo'se'f. 

Ef de chillun pestahs, 

An' de baby's bad, 
Ef yo' wife gits narvous. 

An' you're gettin' mad, 

45 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Des you grab yo' boot-strops, 

HoF yo' body down, 
Stop a-tinkin' cuss-w'rds. 

Chase away de frown, 
Knock de haid o' worry, 

Twell dey ain' none lef ' ; 
Tek a little trouble, 

Brothah, wid yo'se'f. 

LIMITATIONS 

T? F you's only got de powah fe' to blow a 
^ little whistle. 

Keep ermong de people wid de whistles. 
Ef you don't, you'll fin' out sho'tly dat you's 
th'owed yo' fines' feelin' 
In a place dat's all a bed o' thistles. 
'Tain't no use a-goin' now, ez sho's you bo'n, 
A-squeakin' of yo' whistle 'g'inst a gread big 
ho'n. 

Ef you ain't got but a teenchy bit o' victuals 
on de table, 
Whut' de use a-claimin' hit's a f eas' ? 

46 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Fe' de folks is mighty 'spicious, an' dey's ap' 

to come a-peerin', 
Lookin' fe' de scraps you lef at leas'. 
Wen de meal's a-hidin' f'om de meal-bin's top, 
You needn't talk to hide it; ef you sta'ts, des 

stop. 

Ef yo' min' kin only carry half a pint o' com- 
mon idees, 
Don' go roun' a-sayin' hit's a bar'l ; 
'Ca'se de people gwine to test you, an' dey'U 
fin' out you's a-lyin', 
Den dey'll twis' yo' sayin's in a snarl. 
Wuss t'ing in de country dat I evah hyahed — 
A crow dot sat a-squawkin', " I's a mockin'- 
bird." 



A GOLDEN DAY 

T FOUND you and I lost you, 
-■- All on a gleaming day. 
The day was filled with sunshine, 
And the land was full of May. 

47 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

A golden bird was singing 

Its melody divine, 
I found you and I loved you, 

And all the world was mine. 

I found you and I lost you. 

All on a golden day, 
But when I dream of you, dear, 

It is always brimming May. 



THE UNLUCKY APPLE 

^WAS the apple that in Eden 
Caused our father's primal 
fall; 
And the Trojan War, remember — 

'Twas an apple caused it all. 
So for weeks IVe hesitated. 

You can guess the reason why, 
For I want to tell my darling 
She's the apple of my eye. 



48 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 



THE DISCOVERY 

^ I ^HESE are the days of elfs and fays: 
-■- Who says that with the dreams of 
myth, 
These imps and elves disport themselves? 
Ah no, along the paths of song 
Do all the tiny folk belong. 

Round all our homes, 
Kobolds and gnomes do daily cling, 
Then nightly fling their lanterns out. 
And shout on shout, they join the rout, 
And sing, and sing, within the sweet enchanted 
ring. 

Where gleamed the guile of moonlight's smile. 
Once paused I, listening for a while. 
And heard the lay, unknown by day, — 
The fairies' dancing roundelay. 

49 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Queen Mab was there, her shimmering hair 
Each fairy prince's heart's despair. 
She smiled to see their sparkling glee, 
And once I ween, she smiled at me. 

Since when, you may by night or day. 
Dispute the sway of elf-folk gay; 
But, hear me, stay ! 

I've learned the way to find Queen Mab and 
elf and fay. 

Where e'er by streams, the moonlight gleams, 
Or on a meadow softly beams. 
There, footing round on dew-lit ground, 
The fairy folk may all be found. 



MORNING 

THE mist has left the greening 
plain. 
The dew-drops shine like fairy rain. 
The coquette rose awakes again 
Her lovely self adorning. 

50 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

The Wind is hiding in the trees, 
A sighing, soothing, laughing tease, 
Until the rose says " Kiss me, please," 
'Tis morning, 'tis morning. 

With staff in hand and careless-free, 
The wanderer fares right jauntily. 
For towns and houses are, thinks he, 

For scorning, for scorning. 
My soul is swift upon the wing, 
And in its deeps a song I bring; 
Come, Love, and we together sing, 

" 'Tis morning, 'tis morning." 



THE AWAKENING 

I DID not know that life could be so sweet, 
I did not know the hours could speed so 
fleet. 
Till I knew you, and life was sweet again. 
The days grew brief with love and lack of 
pain — 

51 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

I was a slave a few short days ago, 

The powers of Kings and Princes now I know ; 

I would not be again in bondage, save 

I had your smile, the liberty I crave. 

LOVE'S DRAFT 

THE draft of love was cool and sweet 
You gave me in the cup. 
But, ah, love's fire is keen and fleet, 
And I am burning up. 

Unless the tears I shed for you 
Shall quench this burning flame. 

It will consume me through and through, 
And leave but ash — a name. 

A MUSICAL 

OUTSIDE the rain upon the 
street, 
The sky all grim of hue, 
Inside, the music-painful sweet, 
And yet I heard but you. 
52 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

As is a thrilling violin, 
So is your voice to me, 

And still above the other strains, 
It sang in ecstasy. 



TWELL DE NIGHT IS PAS' 

A LL de night long twell de moon goes 
-^^^ down, 

Lovin' I set at huh feet, 
iDen fu' de long jou'ney back fom de town, 

Ha'd, but de dreams mek it sweet. 

All de night long twell de break of de day, 

Dreamin' agin in my sleep, 
Mandy comes drivin' my sorrers away, 

Axin' me, " Wha' fu' you weep ? " 

All de day long twell de sun goes down, 

Smilin', I ben' to my hoe, 
Fu' dough de weddah git nasty an' frown. 

One place I know I kin go. 

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Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

All my life long twell de night has pas' 

Let de wo'k come ez it will, 
So dat I fin' you, my honey, at las', 

Somewhaih des ovah de hill. 

BLUE 

STANDIN' at de winder, 
Feelin' kind o' glum, 
Listenin' to de raindrops 

Play de kettle drum, 
Lookin' crost de medders 

Swimmin' lak a sea; 
Lawd 'a' mussy on us. 
What's de good o' me? 

Can't go out a-hoein'. 

Wouldn't ef I could; 
Groun' too wet fu' huntin', 

Fishin' ain't no good. 
Too much noise fo' sleepin'. 

No one hyeah to chat; 
Des mus' stan' an' listen 

To dat pit-a-pat. 
54 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Hills is gittin' misty, 

Valley's gittin' dahk; 
iWatch-dog's 'mence a-howlin', 

Rathah have 'em ba'k 
Dan a-moanin' solemn 

Somewhaih out o' sight ; 
Rain-crow des a-chucklin' — 

Dis is his delight. 

Mandy, bring my banjo. 

Bring de chillen in, 
Come in f 'om de kitchen, 

I feel sick ez sin. 
Call in Uncle Isaac, 

Call Aunt Hannah, too, 
Tain't no use in talkin', 

Chile, Fs sholy blue. 

DREAMIN' TOWN 

COME away to dreamin' town, 
* " Mandy Lou, Mandy Lou, 
Whaih de skies don' nevah frown, 
Mandy Lou ; 

55 



\^ 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Whaih de streets is paved with gol', 
Whaih de days is nevah col', 
An' no sheep strays f'om de fol', 
Mandy Lou. 

Ain't you tiahed of every day, 

Mandy Lou, Mandy Lou, 
Tek my han' an' come away, 

Mandy Lou, 
To the place whaih dreams is King, 
Whaih my heart hoi's everything. 
An' my soul can alius sing, 
Mandy Lou. 

Come away to dream wid me, 

Mandy Lou, Mandy Lou, 
Whaih our hands an' hea'ts are free, 

Mandy Lou ; 
Whaih de sands is shininf"whitej> 
Whaih de rivahs glistens firighl," 

Mandy Lou. 



56 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Come away to dreamland town, 
Mandy Lou, Mandy Lou, 

Whaih de fruit is bendin' down, 
Des fu' you. 

Smooth your brow of lovin' brown. 

An' my love will be its crown; 

Come away to dreamin' town, 
Mandy Lou. 



AT NIGHT 

WHUT time 'd dat clock strike? 
Nine ? No — eight ; 
I didn't think hit was so late. 
Aer chew ! I must 'a' got a cough, 

I raally b'lieve I did doze off — 
Hit's mighty soothin' to de tiah, 
A-dozin' dis way by de fiah; 
Oo oom — hit feels so good to stretch 
I sutny is one weary wretch! 

Look hyeah, dat boy done gone to sleep ! 
He des ain't wo'th his boa'd an' keep; 
57 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

I des don't b'lieve he'd bat his eyes 
If Gab'el called him fo'm de skies ! 

But sleepin's good dey ain't no doubt — 
Dis pipe o' mine is done gone out. 

Don't bu'n a minute, bless my soul, 
Des please to han' me dat ah coal. 

You 'Lias git up now, my son, 

Seems lak my nap is des begun; 
You sutny mus' ma'k down de day 

Wen I treats comp'ny dis away ! 
W'y, Brother Jones, dat drowse come on. 

An' laws ! I dremp dat you was gone ! 
You 'Lias, whaih yo' mannahs, suh. 

To hyeah me call an' nevah stub ! . 

To-morrer mo'nin' w'en I call 

Dat boy'll be sleepin' to beat all. 
Don't mek no diffunce how I roah, 

He'll des lay up an' sno' and sno'. 
Now boy, you done hyeahed whut I said. 

You bettah tek yo'se'f yo baid. 
Case ef you gits me good an' wrong 

I'll mek dat sno' a diffunt song. 
S8 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Dis wood fiah is invitin' dho', 

Hit seems to wa'm de ve'y flo' — 
An' nuffin' ain't a whit ez sweet, 

Ez settin' toastin' of yo' feet. 
Hit mek you drowsy, too, but La! 

Hyeah, 'Lias, don't you hyeah yo' ma? 
Ef I gits sta'ted f'om dis cheah 

I' lay, you scamp, I'll mek you heah ! 

To-morrer mo'nin' I kin bawl 

Twell all de neighbohs hyeah me call ; 
An' you'll be snoozin' des ez deep 

Ez if de day was made fu' sleep; 
Hit's funny when you got a cough 

Somehow yo' voice seems too fu' off — 
Can't wake dat boy fu' all I say, 

I reckon he'll sleep daih twell day! 

KIDNAPED 

T HELD my heart so far from harm, 
-■■ I let it wander far and free 
In mead and mart, without alarm. 
Assured it must come back to me. 

59 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

And all went well till on a day, 
Learned Dr. Cupid wandered by 

A search along our sylvan way 
For some peculiar butterfly. 

A flash of wings, a hurried drive, 
A flutter and a short-lived flit; 

This Scientist, as I am alive 

Had seen my heart and captured it. 

Right tightly now 'tis held among 
The specimens that he has trapped, 

And sings (Oh, love is ever young), 
Tis passing sweet to be kidnaped. 



COMPENSATION 

UECAUSE I had loved so deeply, 
-■^ Because I had loved so long, 
God in His great compassion 
Gave me the gift of song. 
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Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Because I have loved so vainly, 
And sung with such faltering 
breath, 

The Master in infinite mercy 
Offers the boon of Death. 



WINTER'S APPROACH 

TP\ E sun hit shine an' de win' hit blow, 
^^ or Brer Rabbit be a-layin' low. 

He know dat de wintah time a-comin', 
De huntah man he walk an' wait, 
He walk right by Brer Rabbit's gate — 

He know — 

De dog he lick his sliverin' chop. 

An' he tongue 'gin' his mouf go flop, flop — 

He- 
He rub his nose fu' to clah his scent 
So's to tell w'ich way dat cotton-tail went, 

He— 

6i 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

De huntah's wife she set an' spin 

A good wahm coat fu' to wrop him in 

She- 
She look at de skillet an' she smile, oh my ! 
An' ol' Brer Rabbit got to sholy fly. 

Dey know. 



ANCHORED 

TF thro' the sea of night which here sur- 
-■■ rounds me, 

I could swim out beyond the farthest star, 
Break every barrier of circumstance that 
bounds me, 

And greet the Sun of sweeter life afar, 

Tho' near you there is passion, grief, and 
sorrow, 
And out there rest and joy and peace and all, 
I should renounce that beckoning for to- 
morrow, 
I could not choose to go beyond your call. 
62 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 



THE VETERAN 

UNDERNEATH the autumn sky, 
Haltingly, the lines go by. 
Ah, would steps were blithe and gay, 
As when first they marched away, 
Smile on lip and curl on brow, — 
Only white-faced gray-beards now, 
Standing on life's outer verge. 
E'en the marches sound a dirge. 

Blow, you bugles, play, you fife, 
Rattle, drums, for dearest life. 
Let the flags wave freely so, 
As the marching legions go. 
Shout, hurrah and laugh and jest, 
This is memory at its best, 
(Did you notice at your quip, 
That old comrade's quivering lip?) 

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Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Ah, I see them as they come, 
Stumbling with the rumbhng drum; 
But a sight more sad to me 
E'en than these ranks could be 
Was that one with cane upraised 
Who stood by and gazed and gazed, 
Trembling, solemn, lips compressed, 
Longing to be with the rest. 



Did he dream of old alarms. 
As he stood, " presented arms " ? 
Did he think of field and camp 
And the unremitting tramp 
Mile on mile — the lonely guard 
When he kept his midnight ward? 
Did he dream of wounds and scars 
In that bitter war of wars? 

What of that? He stood and stands 
In my memory — trembling hands, 
Whitened beard and cane and all 
As if waiting for the call 

64 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Once again : " To arms, my sons," 
And his ears hear far-off guns, 
Roll of cannon and the tread 
Of the legions of the Dead! 



YESTERDAY AND TO-MORROW 

YESTERDAY I held your hand, 
Reverently I pressed it, 
And its gentle yieldingness 
From my soul I blessed it. 

But to-day I sit alone, 
Sad and sore repining; 
Must our gold forever know 
Flames for the refining? 

Yesterday I walked with you, 
Could a day be sweeter? 
Life was all a lyric song 
Set to tricksy meter. 
6s 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Ah, to-day is like a dirge, — 
Place my arms around you, 
Let me feel the same dear joy 
As when first I found you. 



Let me once retrace my steps, 
From these roads unpleasant. 
Let my heart and mind and soul 
All ignore the present. 

Yesterday the iron seared 
And to-day means sorrow. 
Pause, my soul, arise, arise. 
Look where gleams the morrow. 



THE CHANGE 

LOVE used to carry a bow, you know, 
' But now he carries a taper; 
It is either a length of wax aglow, 
Or a twist of lighted paper. 
66 



i 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

I pondered a little about the scamp. 
And then I decided to follow 

His wandering journey to field and 
camp, 
Up hill, down dale or hollow. 

I dogged the rollicking, gay, young 
blade 
In every species of weather; 
Till, leading me straight to the home of 
a maid 
He left us there together. 

And then I saw it, oh, sweet surprise, 

The taper it set a-burning 
The love-light brimming my lady's eyes, 

And my heart with the fire of 
yearning. 



67 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 



THE CHASE 

THE wind told the little leaves to hurry, 
And chased them down the way, 
While the mother tree laughed loud in glee, 
For she thought her babes at play. 

The cruel wind and the rain laughed loudly, 
We'll bury them deep, they said. 

And the old tree grieves, and the little leaves 
Lie low, all chilled and dead. 



SUPPOSE 

IF 'twere fair to suppose 
That your heart were not taken, 
That the dew from the rose 
Petals still were not shaken, 
68 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

I should pluck you, 

Howe'er you should thorn me and 

scorn me, 
And wear you for life as the green of 

the bower. 



If 'twere fair to suppose 

That that road was for vagrants, 
That the wind and the rose. 

Counted all in their fragrance; 
Oh, my dear one. 

By love, I should take you and 
make you. 
The green of my life from the 
scintillant hour. 



THE DEATH OF THE FIRST BORN 

COVER him over with daisies white, 
And eke with the poppies red, 
Sit with me here by his couch to-night, 
For the First-Born, Love, is dead. 

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Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Poor little fellow, he seemed so fair 
As he lay in my jealous arms ; 

Silent and cold he is lying there 
Stripped of his darling charms. 

Lusty and strong he had grown 
forsooth, 
Sweet with an infinite grace, 
Proud in the force of his conquering 
youth. 
Laughter alight in his face. 

Oh, but the blast, it was cruel and 
keen. 
And ah, but the chill it was rare; 
The look of the winter-kissed flow'r 
you've seen 
When meadows and fields were 
bare. 

Can you not wake from this white, 
cold sleep 
And speak to me once again? 
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Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

True that your slumber is deep, so 
deep, 
But deeper by far is my pain. 

Cover him over with daisies white, 
And eke with the poppies red, 

Sit with me here by his couch to-night, 
For the First-Born, Love, is dead. 

BEIN' BACK HOME 

HOME agin, an' home to stay — 
Yes, it's nice to be away. 
Plenty things to do an' see, 
But the old place seems to me 
Jest about the proper thing. 
Mebbe 'ts 'cause the mem'ries cling 
Closer 'round yore place o' birth 
'N ary other spot on earth. 

W'y it's nice jest settin' here, 
Lookin' out an' seein' clear, 
'Thout no smoke, ner dust, ner haze 
In these sweet October days. 

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Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

What's as good as that there lane, 
Kind o' browned from last night's 

rain? 
Tears like home has got the start 
When the goal's a feller's heart. 

What's as good as that there jay 
Screechin' up'ards towards the gray 
Skies? An' tell me, what's as fine 
As that full-leafed pumpkin vine? 
Tow'rin' buildin's — yes, they're good; 
But in sight o' field and wood, 
Then a feller understan's 
'Bout the house not made with han's. 

Let the others rant an' roam 
When they git away from home; 
Jest gi' me my old settee 
An' my pipe beneath a tree ; 
Sight o' medders green an' still, 
Now and then a gentle hill, 
Apple orchards, full o' fruit. 
Nigh a cider press to boot — 
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Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

That's the thing jest done up brown; 
D'want to be too nigh to town; 
Want to have the smells an' sights, 
An' the dreams o' long still nights, 
With the friends you used to know 
In the keerless long ago — 
Same old cronies, same old folks. 
Same old cider, same old jokes. 

Say, it's nice a-gittin' back. 
When yore pulse is growin' slack, 
An' yore breath begins to wheeze 
Like a fair-set valley breeze; 
Kind o' nice to set aroun' 
On the old familiar groun', 
Knowin' that when Death does come, 
That he'll find you right at home. 



I 



THE OLD CABIN 

N de dead of night I sometimes. 
Git to t'inkin' of de pas' 

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Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

An' de days w'en slavery helt me 
In my mis'ry — ha'd an' fas'. 

Dough de time was mighty tryin', 
In dese houahs somehow hit seem 

Dat a brightah Hght come sHppin' 
Thoo de kivahs of my dream. 

An' my min' fu'gits de whuppins 

Draps de feah o' block an' lash 
An' flies straight to somep'n' joyful 

In a secon's lightnin' flash. 
Den hit seems I see a vision 

Of a dearah long ago 
Of de childern tumblin' roun' me 

By my rough ol' cabin do'. 

Talk about yo' go'geous mansions 

An' yo' big house great an' gran', 
Des bring up de fines' palace 

Dat you know in all de Ian'. 
But dey's somep'n' dearah to me, 

Somep'n' faihah to my eyes 
In dat cabin, less you bring me 

To yo' mansion in de skies. . 

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Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

I kin see de light a-shinin' 

Thoo de chinks atween de logs, 
I kin hyeah de way-off bayin' 

Of my mastah's huntin' dogs, 
An' de neighin' of de bosses 

Stampin' on de ol' bahn flo'. 
But above dese soun's de laughin' 

At my deah ol' cabin do'. 

We would gethah daih at evenin'. 

All my frien's 'ud come erroun' 
An' hit wan't no time, twell, bless you, 

You could hyeah de banjo's soun'. 
You could see de dahkies dancin' 

Pigeon wing an' heel an' toe, — 
Joyous times I tell you people 

Roun' dat same ol' cabin do'. 

But at times my t'oughts gits saddah, 

Ez I riccolec' de folks. 
An' dey frolickin' an' talkin' 

Wid dey laughin' an' dey jokes. 
An' hit hu'ts me w'en I membahs 

Dat I'll nevah see no mo' 

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Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Dem ah faces gathered smilin' 
Roun' dat po' oF cabin do'. 



DESPAIR 

T ET me close the eyes of my soul 
-■--' That I may not see 
What stands between thee and me. 

Let me shut the ears of my heart 

That I may not hear 
A voice that drowns yours, my dear. 

Let me cut the cords of my life. 

Of my desolate being, 
Since cursed is my hearing and seeing. 



CIRCUMSTANCES ALTER CASES 

TIM Murphy's gon' walkin' wid Maggie 
O'Neill, 

O chone! 
If I was her muther, I'd frown on sich foolin', 
O chone! 

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Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

I'm sure its unmutherlike, darin' an' wrong 
To let a gyrul hear tell the sass an' the song 
Of every young felly that happens along, 
O chone! 

An' Murphy, the things that's be'n sed of his 
doin', 

O chone! 
'Tis a cud that no dacent folks wants to be 
chewin', 

O chone! 
If he came to my door wid his cane on a twirl. 
Fur to thry to make love to you, Biddy, my 

girl, 
Ah, wouldn't I send him away wid a whirl, 
O chone! 

They say the gossoon is indecent and dirty, 

O chone! 
In spite of his dressin' so. 

O chone! 
Let him dress up ez foine ez a king or a queen. 
Let him put on more wrinkles than ever was 
seen, 

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Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

You'll be sure he's no match for my little 
colleen, 

O chone! 



Faith the two is comin' back an' their walk is 
all over, 

O chone! 
'Twas a pretty short walk fur to take wid a 
lover, 

O chone! 
Why, I believe that Tim Murphy's a kumin' 

this way, 
Ah, Biddy jest look at him steppin' so gay, 
I'd niver belave what the gossipers say, 
O chone! 



He's turned in the gate an' he's coming a- 
caperin', 

O chone! 
Go Biddy, go quick an' put on a clane apern, 

O chone! 

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Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Be quick as ye kin fur he's right at the dure ; 
Come in, master Tim, fur ye're welcome I'm 

shure. 
We were talkin' o' ye jest a minute before. 
O chone! 



TILL THE WIND GETS RIGHT 

/^H the breeze is blowin' balmy 
^^ And the sun is in a haze; 
There's a cloud jest givin' coolness, 

To the laziest of days. 
There are crowds upon the lakeside, 

But the fish refuse to bite, 
So I'll wait and go a-fishin' 

When the wind gets right. 

Now my boat tugs at her anchor. 
Eager now to kiss the spray. 

While the little waves are callin' 
Drowsy sailor come away, 

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Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

There's a harbor for the happy, 
And its sheen is just in sight, 

But I won't set sail to get there, 
Till the wind gets right. 

That's my trouble, too, I reckon, 

I've been waitin' all too long, 
Tho' the days were always 

Still the wind is always wrong. 
An' when Gabriel blows his trumpet, 

In the day o' in the night, 
I will still be found waitin', 

Till the wind gets right. 

A SUMMER NIGHT 

QUMMAH is de lovin' time— 
^ Do' keer what you say. 
Night is alius peart an' prime, 

Bettah dan de day. 
Do de day is sweet an' good. 

Birds a-singin' fine, 
Pines a-smellin' in de wood, — 

But de night is mine. 
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Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Rivah whisperin' " howdy do," 

Ez it pass you by — 
Moon a-lookin' down at you, 

Winkin' on de sly. 
Frogs a-croakin' f'om de pon', 

Singin' bass dey fill, 
An' you listen way beyon' 

or man whippo'will. 



Hush up, honey, tek my han', 

Mek yo' footsteps light; 
Somep'n' kin' o' hoi's de Ian' 

On a summah night. 
Somep'n' dat you nevah sees 

An' you nevah hyeahs. 
But you feels it in de breeze, 

Somep'n' nigh to teahs. 

Somep'n' nigh to teahs? dat's so; 

But hit's nigh to smiles. 
An' you feels it ez you go 

Pown de shinin' mileSs 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Tek my han', my little dove; 

Hush an' come erway — 
Summah is de time fu' love, 

Night-time beats de day! 

AT SUNSET TIME 

A DOWN the west a golden glow 
-^ ^ Sinks burning in the sea, 
And all the dreams of long ago 

Come flooding back to me. 
The past has writ a story strange 

Upon my aching heart, 
But time has wrought a subtle change, 

My wounds have ceased to smart. 

No more the quick delight of youth. 

No more the sudden pain, 
I look no more for trust or truth 

Where greed may compass gain. 
What, was it I who bared my heart 

Through unrelenting years. 
And knew the sting of misery's dart. 

The tang of sorrow's tears? 
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Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

'Tis better now, I do not weep, 

I do not laugh nor care ; 
My soul and spirit half asleep 

Drift aimless everywhere. 
We float upon a sluggish stream, 

We ride no rapids mad, 
While life is all a tempered dream 

And every joy half sad. 



NIGHT 

QILENCE, and whirling worlds afar 
^ Through all encircling skies. 
What floods come o'er the spirit's bar. 
What wondrous thoughts arise. 

The earth, a mantle falls away, 
And, winged, we leave the sod ; 

Where shines in its eternal sway 
The majesty of God. 



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Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 



AT LOAFING-HOLT 

SINCE I left the city's heat 
For this sylvan, cool retreat. 
High upon the hill-side here 
Where the air is clean and clear, 
I have lost the urban ways. 
Mine are calm and tranquil days. 
Sloping lawns of green are mine, 
Clustered treasures of the vine; 
Long forgotten plants I know, 
Where the best wild berries grow, 
Where the greens and grasses sprout. 
When the elders blossom out. 
Now I am grown weather-wise 
With the lore of winds and skies. 
Mine the song whose soft refrain 
Is the sigh of summer rain. 
Seek you where the woods are cool. 
Would you know the shady pool 

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Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Where, throughout the lazy day, 
Speckled beauties drowse or play? 
Would you find in rest or peace 
Sorrow's permanent release? — 
Leave the city, grim and gray. 
Come with me, ah, come away. 
Do you fear the winter chill. 
Deeps of snow upon the hill? 
'Tis a mantle, kind and warm. 
Shielding tender shoots from harm. 
Do you dread the ice-clad streams, — 
They are mirrors for your dreams. 
Here's a rouse, when summer's past 
To the raging winter's blast. 
Let him roar and let him rout, 
We are armored for the bout. 
How the logs are glowing, see! 
Who sings louder, they or he? 
Could the city be more gay? 
Burn your bridges ! Come away ! 



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Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 



WHEN A FELLER'S ITCHIN' TO BE 
SPANKED 

"IX 7 'EN us fellers stomp around, makin' lots 
^ ^ o' noise, 
Gramma says, " There's certain times comes 

to little boys 
Wen they need a shingle or the soft side of 

a plank ; " 
She says " we're a-itchin' for a right good 
spank." 

An' she says, " Now thes you wait, 
It's a-comin' — soon or late. 
Wen a fellers itchin' fer a spank." 

Wen a feller's out o' school, you know how he 

feels. 
Gramma says we wriggle 'roun like a lot o' 

eels. 
Wy it's like a man that's thes home from out 

o' jail. 

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Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

What's the use o' scoldin' if we pull Tray's 
tail? 

Gramma says, the', '' thes you wait, 

It's a-comin' — soon or late, 
You'se the boys that's itchin' to be spanked." 

Cats is funny creatures an' I like to make 'em 

yowl, 
Gramma alwus looks at me with a awful scowl 
An' she says, " Young gentlemen, mamma 

should be thanked 
Ef you'd get your knickerbockers right well 

spanked." 

An' she says, " Now thes you wait, 
It's a-comin' — soon or late," 
Wen a feller's itchin' to be spanked. 

Ef you fin' the days is gettin' awful hot 

in school 
An' you know a swimmin' place where it's nice 

and cool, 
Er you know a cat-fish hole brimmin' full o' 

fish. 
Whose a-goin' to set around school and wish? 

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Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

'Tain't no use to hide your bait, 
It's a-comin' — soon or late, 
Wen a feller's itchin' to be spanked. 

or folks know most ever'thing 'bout the 

world, I guess, 
Gramma does, we wish she knowed thes a 

little less. 
But I alwus kind o' think it 'ud be as well 
Ef they wouldn't alwus have to up an' tell ; 
We kids wish 'at they'd thes wait, 
It's a-comin' — soon or late. 
Wen a feller's itchin' to be spanked. 



THE RIVER OF RUIN 

ALONG by the river of ruin 
They dally — 'the thoughtless ones. 
They dance and they dream 
By the side of the stream, 
As long as the river runs. 
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Lyrick A Sunshine and Shadow 

It seems all so pleasant and cheery — 
No thought of the morrow is theirs, 
And their faces are bright 
With the sun of delight, 
And they dream of no night-brooding 
cares. 

The women wear garlanded tresses. 
The men have rings on their hands. 
And they sing in their glee. 
For they think they are free — 
They that know not the treacherous sands. 

Ah, but this be a venturesome journey, 

Forever those sands are ashrift. 

And a step to one side 

Means a grasp of the tide, 

And the current is fearful and swift. 

For once in the river of ruin. 

What boots it, to do or to dare. 

For down we must go 

In the turbulent flow, 

To the desolate sea of Despair. 

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Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 



TO HER 

"^ZOUR presence like a benison to me 
-■■ Wakes my sick soul to dreamful 
ecstasy, 
I fancy that some old Arabian nig'ht 
Saw you my houri and my heart's delight. 

And wandering forth beneath the passionate 
moon, 
Your love-strung zither and my soul in 
tune, 
We knew the joy, the haunting of the pain 
That like a flame thrills through me now 
again. 

To-night we sit where sweet the spice winds 
blow, 
A wind the northland lacks and ne'er shall 
know. 
With clasped hands and spirits all aglow 
As in Arabia in the long ago. 
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Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 



A LOVE LETTER 

OH, I des received a letter f 'cm de sweetest 
little gal; 

Oh, my; oh, my. 
She's my lovely little sweetheart an' her name 
is Sal: 

Oh, my; oh, my. 

She writes me dat she loves me an' she loves 
me true. 
She wonders ef I'll tell huh dat I loves 
huh, too ; 
An' my heaht's so full o' music dat I do' 
know what to do; 
Oh, my; oh, my. 

I got a man to read it an' he read it fine; 

Oh, my; oh, my. 
Dey ain' no use denying dat her love is mine; 

Oh, my; oh, my. 

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Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

But hyeah's de t'ing dat's puttin' me in such 

a awful plight, 
I t'ink of huh at mornin* an' I dream of huh 

at night; 
But how's I gwine to cou't huh w'en I do' 

know how to write? 
Oh, my; oh, my. 

My heaht is bubblin' ovah wid de t'ings I 
want to say; 

Oh, my; oh, my. 
An' dey's lots of folks to copy what I tell 'em 
f u' de pay ; 

Oh, my; oh, my. 
But dey's t'ings dat I's a-t'inkin' dat is only 

fu' huh ears. 
An' I couldn't lu'n to write 'em ef I took a 

dozen years; 
So to go down daih an' tell huh is de only 
way, it 'pears; 

Oh, my; oh, my. 



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Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 



AFTER MANY DAYS 

T'VE always been a faithful man 
■*- An' tried to live for duty, 
But the stringent mode of life 
Has somewhat lost its beauty. 

The story of the generous bread 

He sent upon the waters, 
Which after many days returns 

To trusting sons and daughters, 

Had oft impressed me, so I want 

My soul influenced by it. 
And bought a loaf of bread and sought 

A stream where I could try it. 

I cast my bread upon the waves 
And fancied then to await it; 

It had not floated far away 

When a fish came up and ate it. 

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Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

And if I want both fish and bread, 
And surely both I'm wanting, 

About the only way I see 
Is for me to go fishing. 



LIZA MAY 

IITTLE brown face full of smiles, 
-' And a baby's guileless wiles, 
Liza May, Liza May. 

Eyes a-peeping thro' the fence 
With an interest intense, 
Liza May. 

Ah, the gate is just ajar, 
And the meadow is not far, 

Liza May, Liza May. 

And the road feels very sweet. 
To your little toddling feet, 
Liza May. 

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Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Ah, you roguish runaway, 
What will toiling mother say, 

Liza May, Liza May? 

What care you who smile to greet 
Everyone you chance to meet, 
Liza May? 

Soft the mill-race sings its song, 
Just a little way along, 

Liza May, Liza May. 

But the song is full of guile. 
Turn, ah turn, your steps the while, 
Liza May. 

You have caught the gleam and glow 
Where the darkling waters flow, 

Liza May, Liza May. 

Flash of ripple, bend of bough, 
Where are all the angels now? 
Liza May. 

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Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Now a mother's eyes intense 
Gazing o'er a shabby fence, 

Liza May, Liza May. 

Then a mother's anguished face 
Peering all around the place, 
Liza May. 

Hear the agonizing call 
For a mother's all in all, 

Liza May, Liza May. 

Hear a mother's maddened prayer 
To the calm unanswering air, 
Liza May. 

What's become of — Liza May? 
What has darkened all the day? 

Liza May, Liza May. 

Ask the waters dark and fleet. 
If they know the smiling, sweet 
Liza May. 

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Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Call her, call her as you will, 
On the meadow, on the hill, 

Liza May, Liza May. 

Through the brush or beaten track 
Echo only gives you back, 
Liza May. 

Ah, but you were loving — sweet, 
On your little toddling feet, 

Liza May, Liza May. 

But through all the coming years. 
Must a mother breathe with tears, 
Liza May. 



THE MASTERS 

/^H, who is the Lord of the land of life, 
^^ When hotly goes the fray? 
When, fierce we smile in the midst of strife 
Then whom shall we obey? 

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Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Oh, Love is the Lord of the land of Hfe 

Who holds a monarch's sway; 
He wends with wish of maid and wife, 

And him you must obey. 

Then who is the Lord of the land of life. 

At setting of the sun? 
Whose word shall sway when Peace is rife 

And all the fray is done? 

Then Death is the Lord of the land of life, 

When your hot race is run. 
Meet then his scythe and pruning-knife 

When the fray is lost or won. 



TROUBLE IN DE KITCHEN 

EY was oncet a awful quoil 'twixt de 
skillet an' de pot; 
De pot was des a-bilin' an' de skillet sho' 
was hot. 

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Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Dey slurred each othah's colah an' dey called 

each othah names, 
Wile de coal-oil can des gu-gled, po'in oil 

erpon de flames. 

De pot, hit called de skillet des a flat, disfig- 

gered t'ing, 
An' de skillet 'plied dat all de pot could do 

was set an' sing, 
An' he 'lowed dat dey was 'lusions dat he 

wouldn't stoop to mek 
'Case he reckemize his juty, an' he had too 

much at steak. 

Well, at dis de pot biled ovah, case his tempah 

gittin' highah, 
An' de skillet got to sputterin', den de fat 

was in de fiah. 
Mistah fiah lay daih smokin' an' a-t'inkin' 

to hisse'f. 
Wile de peppah-box us nudgin' of de gingah 

on de she'f, 

99 

LofC, 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Den dey all des lef hit to 'im, 'bout de trouble 

an' de talk ; 
An' howevah he decided, w'y dey bofe 'u'd 

walk de chalk; 
But de fiah uz so 'sgusted how dey quoil an' 1 

dey shout 
Dat he cooled 'em off, I reckon, w'en he 

puffed an' des went out. 

THE QUILTING 

DOLLY sits a-quilting by her mother, 
stitch by stich, 
Gracious, how my pulses throb, how my 

fingers itch. 
While I note her dainty waist and her slender 

hand, 
As she matches this and that, she stitches 

strand by strand. 
And I long to tell her Life's a quilt and I'm 

a patch; 
Love will do the stitching if she'll only be my 
match. ^, 

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Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 



PARTED 

QHE wrapped her soul in a lace of lies, 
*^ With a prime deceit to pin it; 
And I thought I was gaining a fearsome prize, 
So I staked my soul to win it. 

We wed and parted on her complaint. 

And both were a bit of barter, 
Tho' I'll confess that I'm no saint, 

I'll swear that she's no martyr. 



' FOREVER 

T HAD not known before 
^ Forever was so long a word. 
The slow stroke of the clock of time 
I had not heard, 
loi 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

'Tis hard to learn so late; 

It seems no sad heart really learns, 
But hopes and trusts and doubts and 
fears, 

And bleeds and burns. 

The night is not all dark. 
Nor is the day all it seems. 

But each may bring me this relief — 
My dreams and dreams. 

I had not known before 

That Never was so sad a word, 
So wrap me in forgetfulness — 

I have not heard. 



CHRISTMAS 

QTEP wid de banjo an' glide wid de fiddle, 

^ Dis ain' no time fu' to pottah an' piddle ; 

Fu' Christmas is comin', it's right on de way, 

An' dey's houahs to dance 'fo' de break o' 

de day. 

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Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

What if de win' is taihin' an' whistlin'? 
Look at dat fiah how hit's spittin' an' 
bristlin' ! 
Heat in de ashes an' heat in de cindahs, 
or mistah Fros' kin des look thoo de 
windahs. 



Heat up de toddy an' pas' de wa'm glasses, 
Don' stop to shivah at blowin's an' blas'es, 

Keep on de kittle an' keep it a-hummin', 
Eat all an' drink all, dey's lots mo' a-comin'. 

Look hyeah, Maria, don't open dat oven, 
Want all dese people a-pushin' an' shovin'? 



Res' f'om de dance? Yes, you done cotcli 
dat odah. 
Mammy done cotch it, an' law! hit nigh 
flo'd huh ; 
'Possum is monst'ous fu' mekin' folks fin' it! 
Come, draw yo' cheers up, I's sho' I do' 
min' it. 

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Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

Eat up dem critters, you men folks an' 
wimmens, 
'Possums ain' skace w'en dey's lots o' 
pu'simmons. 



ROSES AND PEARLS 

'VT'OUR spoken words are roses fine and 

"*• sweet, 
The songs you sing are perfect pearls of 

sound. 
How lavish nature is about your feet. 
To scatter flowers and jewels both around. 

Blushing the stream of petal beauty flows, 
Softly the white strings trickle down and 

shine. 
Oh ! speak to me, my love, I crave a rose. 
Sing me a song, for I would pearls were mine. 



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Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 



RAIN-SONGS 

THE rain streams down like harp-strings 
from the sky; 
The wind, that world-old harpist, sitteth by ; 
And ever as he sings his low refrain, 

He plays upon the harp-strings of the rain. 



A LOST DREAM 

AH, I have changed, I do not know 
Why lonely hours affect me so. 
In days of yore, this were not wont, 
No loneliness my soul could daunt. 

For me too serious for my age. 
The weighty tome of hoary sage. 
Until with puzzled heart astir. 
One God-giv'n night, I dreamed of her. 

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Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

I loved no woman, hardly knew 
More of the sex that strong men woo 
Than cloistered monk within his cell; 
But now the dream is lost, and hell 

Holds me her captive tight and fast 
Who prays and struggles for the past. 
No living maid has charmed my eyes, 
But now, my soul is wonder-wise. 

For I have dreamed of her and seen 
Her red-brown tresses, ruddy sheen, 
Have known her sweetness, lip to lip, 
The joy of her companionship. 

When days were bleak and winds were rude, 
She shared my smiling solitude, 
And all the bare hills walked with me 
To hearken winter's melody. 

And when the spring came o'er the land 
We fared together hand in hand 
Beneath the linden's leafy screen 
That waved above us faintly green. 
1 06 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 

In summer, by the river-side, 
Our souls were kindred with the tide 
That floated onward to the sea 
As we swept toward Eternity. 

The bird's call and the water's drone 
Were all for us and us alone. 
The water-fall that sang all night 
Was her companion, my delight, 

And e'en the squirrel, as he sped 
Along the branches overhead, 
Half kindly and half envious, 
Would chatter at the joy of us. 

'Twas but a dream, her face, her hair, 
The spring-time sweet, the winter bare, 
The summer when the woods we ranged,- 
'Twas but a dream, but all is changed. 

Yes, all is changed and all has fled. 
The dream is broken, shattered, dead. 
And yet, sometimes, I pray to know 
How just a dream could hold me so. 
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Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 



A SONG 

/^ N a summer's day as I sat by a stream, 

^-^ A dainty maid came by, 

And she blessed my sight Hke a rosy dream, 
And left me there to sigh, to sigh. 
And left me there to sigh, to sigh. 

On another day as I sat by the stream, 
This maiden paused a while. 

Then I made me bold as I told my dream. 
She heard it with a smile, a smile. 
She heard it with a smile, a smile. 

Oh, the months have fled and the autumn's 
red, 
The maid no more goes by ; 
For my dream came true and the maid I wed. 
And now no more I sigh, I sigh, ^ 

And now no more I sigh. 
io8 



Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 



A SONG 

THOU art the soul of a summer's day. 
Thou art the breath of the rose. 
But the summer is fled 
And the rose is dead 
Where are they gone, who knows, who knows ? 

Thou art the blood of my heart o' hearts, 
Thou art my soul's repose, 

But my heart grows numb 

And my soul is dumb 
Where art thou, love, who knows, who knows ? 

Thou art the hope of my after years — 
Sun for my winter snows 

But the years go by 

'Neath a clouded sky. 
Where shall we meet, who knows, who knows ? 

109 






BD e.^^ 




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